India, Jan. 27 -- Haridwar, the city where the Ganga river enters the plains, is a hub of spiritual and religious tourism. The ghats, temples, and ashrams bustle with activity, especially during religious festivals. However, this spiritual magnetism presents a formidable challenge of managing the vast amounts of solid waste generated daily, highlighting Haridwar's battle against an ever-mounting tide of solid waste.

Every year, an estimated 40 million devotees make their way to Haridwar. Due to the immense influx, Haridwar's waste management systems are stretched to their limits. The city generates approximately 260-300 metric tons of municipal solid waste daily. The figure swells dramatically during events such as the Kanwar Yatra, when...